René was born in El Salvador, Central America. He was raised in a loving home and faithful local church. At the age of 10, he experienced God’s saving grace while participating at a youth retreat. In his teenage years, he started serving the church as a student and worship leader.

René earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Strategic Planning from Universidad Tecnológica; he also completed several theological courses from the Instituto Ministerial Cimiento Estable.

In 2010, René felt the Lord’s call to full-time ministry and became an associate pastor at his home church in San Salvador. After feeling a strong desire for more robust ministry training, René and his family moved to Minnesota to attend Bethlehem College and Seminary. They became members of Bethlehem in 2017, and after serving in various roles, René joined staff as a Pastoral Resident in 2021. He has been serving as the Pastor for Adult Discipleship since 2023.

René and his wife, Magali, have been married since 2004. They have three children.